'Methodical Plan': Israel Begins Ground Raids Against Hezbollah Targets At Lebanon's Border Villages

The Israeli military on Tuesday said that its troops have started “targeted ground raids” in villages of southern Lebanon. The attacks backed by airstrikes and artillery began “a few hours ago” and are targeting militant group Hezbollah “in villages close to the border” with Israel, a military statement said.

“The IDF began limited, localised, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” Israel’s military said in a statement.

IDF will be carrying out “a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command, which soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months”, the Jerusalem Post informed.

The recent attacks came two days after it killed the group’s chief Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday. A Lebanese security official said Israel had also conducted at least six strikes on south Beirut after Israel’s army ordered residents in the Hezbollah stronghold to evacuate, reported AFP.

Israel, Hezbollah Defiant In Not Ending Clash

Despite international calls for de-escalation, Israel vowed to keep fighting against Hezbollah. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned that the “battle was not over” even after the massive strike on Beirut that killed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, giving a massive setback to the group.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem, in his first televised speech since Nasrallah’s death, said they are ready to fight the battle against Israel. The group has said in a statement they “targeted” Israeli troops in orchards near the Lebanese border.

World Leaders Call For De-escalation

US President Joe Biden earlier on Monday indicated he opposed an Israeli ground operation and said, “We should have a ceasefire now.” The US has supported Israel’s right to defend itself.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin on Tuesday informed that he spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and discussed security developments and Israeli operations.  “I made it clear that the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself. We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hizballah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities.”

“I reaffirmed that a diplomatic resolution is required to ensure that civilians can return safely to their homes on both sides of the border and made clear that the United States is well-postured to defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organisations and determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict.  I reiterated the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel,” he added.

In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also on Monday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that India condemns terrorism in all forms and reiterated the need to ensure the safe release of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

World leaders have urged de-escalation, with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric saying, “We do not want any sort of ground invasion.”

(With agency inputs)